THE ENSIGN OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JANUARY 2014 Joseph Fielding Smith: Defender of the Faith, p. 44 The Church in Mexico— A Rich History, a Beautiful Future, p. 36 Of Saints, of Ships, and of the Sea, p. 50 Preparing for Priesthood Ordinances, p. 56 “Some of you may feel that you can’t rise above the polluted pond, that your circumstances are too difficult, your trials too hard, your temptations too great. Remember, the stalk of the water lily grows in adversity, and as the stalk lifts the water lily, your faith will support and lift you.” Mary N. Cook, former second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, “Anchors of Testimony,” Ensign, May 2008, 122. Contents January 2014 Volume 44 • Number 1 YOUNG ADULT FEATURES 14 Enduring Well Elder J. Christopher Lansing What does the Lord expect us to do when our hopes and dreams are dashed? 18 I Feel God’s Love When . Young adults share how they experience God’s love in their lives. 22 The Measure of Our Creation Joshua Larson How could I progress toward 18 exaltation if I was still single? FEATURES 4 24 Face the Future with Faith and Hope Elder M. Russell Ballard We must dedicate and consecrate our lives MESSAGES to the Savior’s cause, walking in faith and FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE working with conviction. 4 The Best Time to Plant a Tree 30 Love Your Wife President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Prophetic counsel for husbands. VISITING TEACHING MESSAGE 33 Poem: Exponential 7 The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Exemplar Increase Mark D. Andrews Helping our love for one another grow. On Sunday ON THE COVER 34 The e nsign of T he ChurC h of Jesus ChrisT of LaTTer-day s ainT s • January 2014 24 Front: Photograph We Attend Church of Joseph Fielding Linda Pratt Smith taken on April 26, 1910, shortly after The challenge of attending his ordination as an Church alone with six small children made me Apostle at age 33. wonder why I even bothered. Inside front cover: Photograph by LaRene Porter Gaunt. 36 Pioneers in Every Land: Mexico Unfurled—from Struggle to Strength Sally Johnson Odekirk Joseph Fielding Smith: Defender Latter-day Saints in Mexico sacrificed a of the Faith, p. 44 The Church in Mexico— great deal to establish the Church in their country. A Rich History, a Beautiful Future, p. 36 Of Saints, of Ships, and of the Sea, p. 50 Preparing for Priesthood Ordinances, p. 56 January 2014 1 10 DEPARTMENTS 3 Family Home Evening Ideas 8 October 2013 Conference Notebook 10 We Talk of Christ: From Darkness into Light 44 Name withheld 12 Old Testament Prophets: Adam 44 True and Faithful: Inspiration from the Life and Teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith 72 Gospel Classics: Hoyt W. Brewster Jr. The Divine Godhead Meet a modern-day prophet who had a tough President Gordon B. Hinckley baseball swing and a soft heart and who faithfully served the Lord. 75 Teaching For the Strength of Youth: Sabbath Day Observance 50 Of Saints, of Ships, and of the Sea Richard M. Romney 76 Latter-day Saint Voices Explore the scriptural and historical signifi- cance of ships and of the sea. 80 Until We Meet Again: Can He See Me? 56 Preparing for Priesthood Ordinances Teresa Starr David L. Buckner How you can make priesthood ordinances more meaningful experiences. 75 62 The Healing Power of Grief Steven Eastmond Although painful, grief can help bring us closer to the Savior. 66 The Salt of the Earth What can salt teach us about our covenants with God? 68 Choosing to Forgive Benjamin F. Call Suggestions for finding the strength to forgive others. 2 Ensign Family Home Evening Ideas This issue contains articles and activities that could be used for family home evening. The following are some examples. A MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS January 2014 Volume 44 • Number 1 The First Presidency: Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, Dieter F. Uchtdorf The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Boyd K. Packer, L. Tom Perry, Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks, M. Russell Ballard, Richard G. Scott, Robert D. Hales, Jeffrey R. Holland, David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen Editor: Craig A. Cardon Advisers: Jose L. Alonso, Mervyn B. Arnold, Shayne M. Bowen, Stanley G. Ellis, Christoffel Golden Managing Director: David T. Warner Director of Operations: Vincent A. Vaughn Director of Church Magazines: BY CODY BELL PHOTO ILLUSTRATION Allan R. Loyborg Garff Cannon Business Manager: “Enduring Well,” page 14: Consider dis- “Choosing to Forgive,” page 68: Managing Editor: R. Val Johnson cussing with your family the meaning of Elder You may want to begin by watching the Assistant Managing Editor: LaRene Porter Gaunt Lansing’s oft-repeated counsel to his daugh- Mormon Messages video “Forgiveness: My Publications Assistant: Faith S. Watson ter: “Just keeping swim- Burden Was Made Light” Writing and Editing: Susan Barrett, ming.” You could also (mormonmessages. org). Ryan Carr, David Dickson, David A. Edwards, ask a family member to ANCESTOR APPRECIATION Then read the quote Matthew Flitton, Mindy Raye Friedman, read the story of Joseph One year I made a family calen- from Lewis B. Smedes on Lori Fuller, Garrett H. Garff, Jennifer Grace dar to encourage appreciation Jones, Michael R. Morris, Richard M. Romney, Smith’s imprisonment in page 69 of the article and Paul VanDenBerghe Liberty Jail mentioned on for our ancestors. Each month discuss how, as shown in Editorial Interns: Victoria Kerin Candland, featured pictures of a grand- Mindy Anne Leavitt page 16, including the the video, Chris’s decision verses quoted from the parent or great-grandparent of to forgive Cameron gave Managing Art Director: J. Scott Knudsen our children. Along with the Art Director: Tadd R. Peterson Doctrine and Covenants. each of them hope for You could then discuss calendar, I prepared 12 family the future. You could Design: C. Kimball Bott, Colleen Hinckley, home evening lessons, one Eric P. Johnsen, Susan Lofgren, Scott Mooy what is meant by the then read with your family for each ancestor. The lesson Intellectual Property Coordinator: phrase “endure it well” Doctrine and Covenants Collette Nebeker Aune and, as appropriate, make included a story from the ances- 64:10 and review the Production Manager: Jane Ann Peters a list of positive ways fam- tor’s life and a matching gospel suggestions given in the Production: Kevin C. Banks, Connie theme, such as courage, service, Bowthorpe Bridge, Julie Burdett, Bryan W. Gygi, ily members could deal article for finding the Denise Kirby, Ginny J. Nilson, Gayle Tate Rafferty with challenges they may tithing, or missionary work. We strength to forgive others. Prepress: Joshua Dennis be facing (consult D&C also read the ancestor’s favorite Invite family members to Printing Director: Craig K. Sedgwick 123:17 for ideas). scriptures (or others that went identify the blessings that Distribution Director: Stephen R. Christiansen with the theme) and enjoyed his forgiving others can bring. © 2014 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All or her favorite songs, activities, rights reserved. The Ensign (ISSN 0884-1136) games, and food. This approach is published monthly by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 E. North Temple has helped both our children Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-0024, USA. and our grandchildren come to Periodicals Postage Paid at Salt Lake City, Utah. know and love their ancestors. Copyright information: Text and visual material in the Ensign may be copied for Claudia W. Richards, Utah, USA incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Visual material may not be copied if restrictions are indicated in the credit line with the artwork. Copyright questions should be addressed to Intellectual Property Office, 50 E. North Temple SUBSCRIBE TO OR RENEW TO CHANGE ADDRESS DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL? Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-0018; email: THE ENSIGN [email protected]. Send both old and new address We welcome donated submissions Online: Visit store.lds.org. information to Distribution Services, showing the gospel of Jesus Christ at POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS (see By phone: In the United States and P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT work in your life. Please submit articles DMM 707.4.12.5). NONPOSTAL AND MILITARY Canada, call 1-800-537-5971. 84126-0368, USA. Please allow 60 through ensign.lds.org. Authors FACILITIES: Send address changes to Distribution By mail: Send U.S. $10 check or days for changes to take effect. whose work is selected for publication Services, Church Magazines, P.O. Box 26368, money order to Distribution Services, will be notified. Salt Lake City, UT 84126-0368, USA. P.O. Box 26368, Salt Lake City, UT Canada Post Information: Publication 84126-0368, USA. Agreement #40017431. January 2014 3 FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency THE BEST TIME TO Plant a Tree n ancient Rome, Janus was the god of beginnings. He the computer begins to stall, and things it used to do was often depicted with two faces—one looking back quickly and efficiently become sluggish. Sometimes it Ion the past, the other looking forward to the future. doesn’t work at all. Even getting it to start can become Some languages name the month of January after him a chore as the hard drive becomes cluttered with miscel- because the beginning of the year was a time for reflection laneous chaos and electronic debris. There are times as well as planning. when the only recourse is to reformat the computer and Thousands of years later, many cultures throughout the start over.